Note:
some of the language, references & attitudes, while acceptable at the time they
were written, are not Politically Correct, today.

Summary:

No
official summary was ever provided with any of the old Tom Swift books. However,
without giving too much away, the plot can be summed up as follows:

Tom
Swift has discovered yet another wondrous element, Bartantalum. An ore that was
discovered during an un-chronicled western vacation trip, can be used to produce
a blue powder with remarkable acoustical properties. It absorbs sound like a
sponge. The only problem is that when the material is subjected to high
temperatures, it causes electrical disruption similar to the effect of Electro
Magnetic Pulse (EMP). It is also a potentially lethal contact poison. Tom
carelessly gets it on his bare skin and is nearly killed.

Tom
must discover the means of producing the material without destroying Swift
Construction Company's power house. The EMP emission destroys even the most
robust electrical equipment and wiring. He must also battle the usual inimical
enemies who try to rob and kill him to obtain the secret of the material.

How
these problems are resolved, you will have to locate a copy of the story to find
out.

Cast of Characters
(More or less in order of appearance)

Ned Newton-Chum & companion of Tom.
No description is ever given. He continues his position as Swifts' Business
Manager and CFO (Treasurer) of Swift Construction Company.(SCC) He
is the voice of caution regarding Tom's expenditures, sometimes obnoxiously so.

M. Pedro
Gonzo-Nervous and impatient, he is a representative of a wealthy family in
the fictional (European?) country of Ruthenia. He speaks with a heavy accent
that sounds much like French.

Mr. Wakefield Damon-Elderly & eccentric adventurer whose main purpose in
life seems to be blessing everybody and everything near his person.
During the series, his appearance changes several times. He goes from being "too
fat to walk much" and suffering from chronic liver ailments, to being merely
"portly" and then to "spry" and fit enough to hike & climb in the Rocky
Mountains.. He wears a "luxuriant" snow-white toupee & tortoise-shell glasses
and has a moustache. He is described as "jolly looking" and carries a newfangled
steel cane He appears to be quite wealthy from business dealings and
investments. In this tome, he is once again stout and is absent minded. He has
also dropped enough years to be considered "middle aged," rather than "elderly."
He has also purchased a farm (to what end is not really explained) but probably
to give him a safe place to retreat to when his somewhat overbearing wife tugs
his leash too vigorously.

Tom Swift-Intrepid
inventor & mechanic. Plucky, lively, resourceful, brave and clever.
Home-schooled at a college level by his father, Barton Swift. Athlete and
hunter. Familiar with how to stalk game and firearms. Loves all things
mechanical. He stands 6ft tall, is fit, tanned and a non-smoker. Probably
handsome, too, but that is never mentioned. The archetypical All-American Hero.
In this episode, he celebrates an unspecified birthday. Since superheroes never
age, he is still a young man. In a real world, by now he would be pushing 50.

Pharmhand Phred-No real name or description given. He has a bit part,
providing directions to Ned Newton. Ned is searching for Mr. Damon's farm.

Rumble-NFN.
A swarthy, forbidding sort of man. He has close-cropped, bristling black
hair and a deep, rough voice. He is originally introduced as the caretaker of
Mr. Damon's farm. He is later determined to be a generic nogoodnik, and a
robber, using the farm as a hideout.

Blondie-No real name given. Companion to Rumble s(he) is "a hard-faced
blonde woman" who has a bold stare. Later insinuates into the Swift household as
a maid, for the purpose of burglarizing the place. Blondie is actually a male,
as determined at the end of the story. Whatever disguise he used must have been
a doozy, as it fooled both Ned (from a short distance) and Mrs. Baggert, up
close and face-to-face.

Mrs. Damon-She is never physically described, nor is her name given. She
tries to keep her husband on a short leash. Her plan is to keep him home or
attending social parties instead of "gallivanting" with Tom. She is not very
successful, as she spends much time at her mothers' home, (most likely providing
elder care) which allows Mr. D to roam freely. She has a bit part as a voice on
a phone line in this tale.

Koku-Giant manservant of Tom. He is devoted, fiercely loyal, and possessed
of great strength, but apparently somewhat limited cognitive facilities.
Described as "savage and only half-tame," his height changes several times in
the series, varying from over 9ft to almost 7ft-to merely a "veritable"
giant-ness. He is antagonist and rival of Eradicate, the Swifts' negro
servant/handyman. In this episode, the author splits the difference and he is
8ft tall. Once again he is a mere watchman, guard and heavy lifter. His speech
patterns remain very much like those of a Hollywood B-western Indian, in spite
of close association with English speaking Americans for many years. In this
episode, Tom summons him by whistling. Such behavior demonstrates the continuing
denigration of persons of color in the series.

Barton Swift-Widower. Wealthy and conservative. Inventor, master machinist
and holder of numerous patents. In this episode, he is rejuvenated. Mr. Swift is
now working on several books and stays on top of Tom's research projects. He is
described as "a dynamic personality," and "takes charge" of any situation he
finds himself in.

Express-man Ed and Helper Henry-Faceless and nameless characters that show
up to make a delivery of the raw materials for Bartantalum. Bit parts in the
story.

Eradicate Andrew Jackson Abraham Lincoln Sampson, A.K.A. Rad-Aged
stereotypical Negro manservant. Used to "eradicate dirt" in his younger years.
Rad has now "become too old to do much," As described in previous volumes, he
now has "white hair in a fringe, is bald on top and shuffles." He remains
faithful to Tom and his father and helps out where he can. Constant rival and
antagonist of giant Koku. In this tale he is described only as "old," and seems
to be enjoying improved health. Previously he was near death's door due to
advanced old age. He is called a "darky" by Tom, and shares the same "status" or
lack thereof as Koku does in the author's eyes.

The Purple Shirts-Ruthenian revolutionaries (obviously patterned after the
"brown shirt" Fascists in Italy.) Want Tom to build them noiseless aircraft so
that they can depose the current government of Ruthenia.

Garrett Jackson-No description given, but is spry and fit for his age.
(Original volumes only described him as "aged.") Previously, Swift
Construction's Shop Manager/General Foreman, he is now "Chief Engineer" in
the powerhouse/electrical generating plant, and "has been employed by the Swifts
for many years."

Blackjack Bob-Rough and deep voiced hooligan (probably Rumble, although this
is never stated) who mugs Tom and steals important papers contained in a wallet.

Trooper Terry-No name or description given. (NY) State policeman who pulls
Tom over for suspected drunk driving. Tom is woozy from the beating he took
during the mugging. When the motorcycle cop realizes what happened, he stashes
his bike and gives Tom a ride home.

Dr. Granville-NFN or description. SCC Company Doctor, he treats Tom
unsuccessfully for exposure to the Bartantalum powder.

Mr. Mawson-NFN or description. SCC Chief Chemist. Called in to
consult in the case of Tom's poisoning.

Mrs.
Baggert-Swift's aged housekeeper and mother figure. In this tale, she has a
minor part and apparently cannot see well enough to detect a man dressed as a
woman. She hires the cross-dresser as a temporary maid. Bustles about and claims
that she needs no help around the Swift manse. Previous episodes had he bossing
several scullery maids.

Detective
Bright-NFN. He was a keen, shrewd-looking young man, who speaks in short
jerky, staccato phrases. Employed by a local private investigation firm on
retainer to SCC.

Phireman Phrank-No real name or description given. SCC smoke eater
who responds to a fire in Tom's lab. Pulls Tom to safety, when he is overcome by
fumes.

Chief Char-ley-No real name or description given. SCC fire department
manager. Pontificates on the source of the blaze in Tom's lab.

Mailman Mike- No real name or description given. Arrives with a special
delivery envelope for Tom.

Mr. Smathers- No real name or description given. Rival inventor, competing
for the contract to build silent airplanes for the Army.

Lt. James, US Army- No first name or description given. In charge of
prototype testing for the silencing devices. Bit part, introduced and discarded.

Col. Brooks, US Army- No first name or description given. Project manager
and superior of Lt. James, he has "final say" about which silencer is purchased.
Bit part, introduced and discarded.

The
following major characters are absent from this tale or only have passing
mention:

Dr. Chester Chilton-Introduced and
having pivotal roles in the two previous volumes as a newcomer to Shopton, he is
"exceptionally well educated and a very likeable person." Conspicuously absent
from this tale.

Mrs. Mary Nestor Swift-Love interest and radiant bride of Tom. Described as
a "very pretty young woman with flashing brown eyes, and a sweet trilling
laugh." Blushes easily, especially around Tom. Also described as "plucky." No
mention.

Helen
Morton-Fianc╚e and love interest of Ned Newton. No mention.

As is
usual lately, many of these characters (especially the ones introduced late in
the story) do not rate any development or even a description. They are brought
forth and discarded after they do their bits to make the story flow. The
(hopefully humorous) alliterative names are my "inventions" to make reading
these reviews a bit more fun.

Major Inventions:

The Controlled Bomb-A cone-shaped device with
an explosive charge in the center, used to disperse various "products" around an
open area. The products, such as seed or insecticide powder are placed in
layered baffles that allow even dispersion when the explosive charge is
detonated. It is also suggested that shrapnel could be the payload during
wartime, and thus the precursor to the "Claymore Mine" can be credited to our
decidedly pacifist-minded hero.

Bartantalum-Made from ground, refined and cast
molten unspecified ore, this blue powdery and remarkable material literally
absorbs sound like a sponge.. It has wonderful acoustical properties that allow
it to be used as a "magnet" to reduce sound emissions from sources merely
nearby and not in contact with the material. The unspecified, but heavy ore
is ground, dissolved in acid and refined in an electric furnace under vacuum.
When a certain critical temperature is reached (as signified by a green flame)
the material disrupts electrical machinery, causing circuit breakers to melt,
wall wiring to start fires and motor ignition systems to cease functioning. Tom
may have discovered EMP, as there is concern expressed for a radiation hazard.
The material is also a highly toxic contact poison, as Our Hero learns when he
gets it on his skin and is only saved in the nick of time by his father, Barton.

Electric Vacuum Smelter-An electric powered
"clean" furnace under development for a large steel manufacturing company. Tom
uses it for refining the Bartantalum alloy.

Commentary on Society,
Attitudes, Environment & Errata

Reading the old Tom Swift Sr. series has
really given me an appreciation of all the modern gadgets that I've come to take
for granted. It also has given me a grasp of just how technologically and
culturally unsophisticated the average reader was in even the 1940's.

Attitudes,
Prejudices and Author's Identity-This tale is attributed elsewhere to
a ghost writer, one Thomas Moyston Mitchell. A Google search turned up no
references for a Thomas Moyston Mitchell, but a Thomas (NMI) Mitchell
(b.1892-d.1962 ) was listed as an actor/screenwriter/playwright. The following
link has a bio.
http://www.nndb.com/people/116/000063924/

Whoever it was penned this tale, was not
the same person as the author of the previous two adventures. S(he) had at least
a passing knowledge of the many characters in other stories, but the "look and
feel" of the characters and environment were only passing familiar to the last
few volumes.

On closer examination, many details do not
match up. For example, SCC and Tom's "private laboratory" (which is now
air-conditioned and has an adjacent apartment) were no longer in Swift's "back
yard." SCC's sprawling, distant and walled manufacturing complex,
described in previous tomes, again requires an automobile ride to get to from
the Swift manse. SCC is once again big enough to rate chemistry and legal
departments and now has its own coal-fired power generating station. In the
previous two tales, much ado was made of the vault (erroneously called the
Chest of Secrets) under Tom's lab. In this tale, all of Tom's valuables are
left exposed where they are at risk to the hazards of theft and destruction by
fire or the ravages of an automatic sprinkler system.

Another characteristic (previously
exhibited) of this writer was the abandon with which characters were introduced,
used and discarded. They come and go like cartridges through a sub-machine gun.
This author had a writing style/attitude very similar to Volume #37 and to a
lesser extent, #36. These include a pacifist & ultra-temperate outlook,
ambiguous geography and a total absence of female love interest for both main
characters-Mary Nestor Swift, Tom's wife, is conspicuously absent, as is
Ned's fianc╚e, Helen Morton. Koku, once again changes size and is now only 8ft
tall. Eradicate (Rad) is portrayed in his usual stereotypical manner, with the
usual denigrating reference to his color. Barton Swift (previously invalided by
old age and a heart condition) remains rejuvenated, and is up and around,
writing books and staying on top of his son's projects. Mr. Damon does not
get in a car wreck, as has been de rigueur in past adventures. Mrs.
Baggert the Swift housekeeper, and Garret Jackson, the SCC "Chief
Engineer," also reappear for the first time in a long while, in this tale.

Shopton, which has varied from a "small
village" to a "small city with suburbs," is back to being a "small town," but it
rates a private detective firm that is on annual retainer to SCC. Local
police and G-men, previously mostly incompetent and bumbling, are back to being
effective minions of law-enforcement, a la Volume #36. The FBI is quite
well-regarded, probably after a pointed phone call to the author from J. Edgar.
( JEH did things like that... )

Notably, and for the first time in nearly
forever, Tom does not "rescue" someone from danger. It has previously been "in
the formula" that one or more characters are beholden to Our Hero for the
preservation of life and limb. He does, however, suffer the usual panoply of
personal violence, including mugging/robbery, poison/drugging, smoke inhalation,
and for the first time, having to parachute from a burning plane. However, no
chloroform (the authors' drug of choice) was released in this tale.

War (WW2) and
warlike times are finally referenced in several places in the story. This is
only the third time that real-world events actually play a part in a TS story.
The others were Volumes #21-22 War Tank and Air Scout, referencing
WW1. Tom remains Militantly Pacifist, emphatically saying, "They'll never kill
men with my ideas!"...except, maybe with Giant Cannons, Aerial
Warships, War Tanks, Air Scouts, and (military) Floating
Airports...There's also that wonderfully lethal Electric Rifle right
at the top of the list. Go figure. See also, below, regarding "controlled
bombs."

I feel that whoever it was wrote the
original draft manuscript for this tale, had previously penned one or more of
the TS stories. I suspect the "author" merely dusted off an unused early draft
and "filed off the serial numbers." At 32 pages (the usual story was padded out
to 200+ pages) this tale is a "short story" at best. Frankly, the way it is
thrown together, it feels like quick cobble so that the series could end with a
round 40 volumes. I know that if I had spent a hard earned 50 cents on this tale
as a child, I'd probably think twice about investing in Volume #41, if one were
ever published. I sure won't pay the premium prices demanded on e-bay˘
to complete my hardcover collection.

Errata-
There is a running gag throughout this series. Mr. Damon's home keeps
flip-flopping between Waterfield and Waterford, NY. Sometimes it
is in neither, and several times in both places, at once. This is partly due to
the enforced poor communication amongst the many ghostwriters working for the
Stratemeyer Syndicate that contributed to this series.In this series,
some cross-pollination amongst the writers would have been a good thing, at
least as far as keeping background and geographical details straight.

There are now 4 distinct categories. In this
tome, Mr. D's homeis in not mentioned.

The
final tally for the 40 volumes in the series is:

Waterfield-17,
Both places-2, Waterford-11, and Neither place-10.

The numbers
don't total properly, (42) because of the 2 volumes where more than one location
is referenced.

Errors in
spelling and malapropisms were surprisingly infrequent. Since this was an
e-text, I cannot say if what was there were introduced in transcription, or were
the result of quick-and-dirty editing for a cheap BLB edition.

Engineering and Science,
Fact vs. Fantasy

Bartantalum-A magical powdery blue material
that "attracts" sound from a distance "like iron filings to a magnet" and
absorbs it like a sponge. Sigh! I can sum up with one word. Fantasy. If it were
real, though, can you imagine straight through "mufflers" with no back pressure
for automobiles? Then there's the nefarious aspects: Hang a bit near a gun
muzzle to making a "silent" gun. (BATFE would have an absolute canary.)
Personally, I'd have made a pendant necklace out of the stuff and given it to my
now ex-wife. 'Nuff said? Let's move on...

The Controlled Bomb-I'd use the term "directed"
rather than "controlled," here. Since Tom nearly gets blown up during a test,
I'd say the "control" aspect was minimal. The idea of dispersing chemicals or
seeds by an explosive is certainly possible assuming the pyrotechnics used
didn't incinerate the "product" being delivered. Sixty years later, the real
world mimics fantasy, but nothing as innocuous as corn seed is the payload.
Tom's invention is corrupted by modern man into various implements of mayhem.
Air burst munitions are routinely used to disperse everything from leaflets to
mines. An RDD, (Radiological Dispersal Device.) what is popularly called
a "dirty bomb," is a device (specifically used as a terror weapon) to spread
contaminants of various types (biological or radiological) around. A
unidirectional variant (as suggested by Ned Newton) is today's Claymore Mine.

Electric Vacuum Smelter-An electric powered
"clean" furnace under development by SCC for an undisclosed large steel
manufacturing company. Tom's prototype can handle a small crucible, and will
contain a 'melt' under a vacuum to prevent atmospheric contamination of the
Bartantalum. Tom's technology improvement for the furnace is not explained or
described. Vacuum smelting, usually used for refining precious or reactive
metals such as Gold, Silver, Mercury and Zinc had been around for some time when
this tale was penned.

Geography-Shopton still sits on the shore of
Lake Carlopa, but has changed size, yet again. It is now back to being a
"small town." The state it is in is not mentioned, but it sits on a major rail
line and is an easy ride from NYC and Washington DC. Mansburg is still the
nearest town of any size, but that is all the geography specified. Geography is
mostly consistent with other stories and purposely vague.